Director of State Pensions and Devolution - Part Time (Job-Share)

You will be a key adviser to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Ministers of State.

You will be responsible for developing the policies that underpin the support the Department provides to over 12 million pensioners, including some of DWP’s most vulnerable customers.

You will play a key role in the Government’s response to the strategic challenge presented by an ageing population and delivering on the department’s goal of reinforcing financial resilience in later life. You lead relationships across government to deliver outcomes in line with government priorities.

Your responsibility for leading the policy co-ordination for uprating benefits and pensions means you will be central to one of the most important annual events for the Department which affects the lives of many millions of people.

You will be responsible for identifying strategic priorities within your directorate ahead of fiscal events and you will play a crucial role in developing our strategy to manage welfare spending.

You will also be the lead Director in the Department for the Government’s Union Strategy and responsible for implementing the provisions of the Scotland Act 2016. This landmark legislation involves the transfer of responsibility for many DWP benefits along with other support for people in Scotland to the Scottish Government.

You will be responsible for:

• Building a strong relationship with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Minister for Pensions and advising them on key policy priorities on state pensions, welfare spend, carers and devolution
• Identifying strategic priorities within your directorate ahead of fiscal events and playing a crucial role in developing our strategy to manage welfare spending
• Developing the policies that provide support to over 12 million pensioners including some of DWP’s most vulnerable customers, and for playing a key role in the Government’s response to the strategic challenge presented by an ageing population;
• Maintaining excellent relationships with colleagues working in the relevant operational arms of the Department. You will also lead our strategic relationship with colleagues who are transforming the Department’s services and improving customer experience; and
• Support to those with caring responsibilities and pensioners with disabilities and lead the Departmental relationship with Department for Health and Social Care on social care;
• The Department’s relationship with the Devolved Administrations in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, acting as the lead Departmental Director for the Government’s Union Strategy. This includes for both the policy and implementation of the social security provisions in the Scotland Act 2016, which this transfers responsibility for the provision of many DWP benefits to Scottish customers from DWP to the Scottish Government, most notably those supporting disability, carers, and industrial injuries;
• Working with colleagues in the Private Pensions directorate to lead the Government’s review of the pensions system;

10, HM Treasury, the Cabinet Office, Devolved Administrations and key stakeholder groups.